SUMMARYThere is still controversy about the relation between changes in myocardial contractile function and global left ventricular (LV) performance during stable concentric hypertrophy. To clarify this, we analyzed LV function in vivo and myocardial mechanics in vitro in rats with pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Male Wistar rats (70 g) underwent ascending aortic stenosis for 8 weeks (group AAS, n = 9). LV performance was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography under anesthesia. Myocardial function was studied in isolated papillary muscle preparations during isometric contraction. The data were compared with age-and sex-matched sham-operated rats (group C, n = 9). LV weight-to-body weight ratio (C: 2.13 ± 0.14 mg/g; AAS: 3.24 ± 0.44 mg/g), LV relative wall thickness (C: 0.18 ± 0.02; AAS: 0.33 ± 0.09), and LV fractional shortening (C: 54 ± 5%; AAS: 70 ± 8%) were increased in group AAS (P < 0.05). Echocardiographic analysis also indicated a significant association (r = 0.74; P < 0.001) between the percent fractional shortening index and LV relative wall thickness. The performance of AAS isolated muscle revealed that active tension (C: 6.6 ± 1.7 g/mm 2 ; AAS: 6.5 ± 1.5 g/mm 2 ) and maximum rate of tension development (C: 69 ± 21 g/mm 2 /s; AAS: 69 ± 18 g/mm 2 /s) were not significantly different from group C (P > 0.05). In conclusion, compensated pressureoverload myocardial hypertrophy is associated with preserved myocardial function and increased ventricular performance. The improved LV function might be due to the ventricular remodeling characterized by an increased relative wall thickness. (Jpn Heart J 2004; 45: 647-656)

This study aimed at developing different enzymatic protein hydrolysates from animalorigin byproducts; pig liver (PL) and tilapia (Oreochromisniloticus) processing residue (TR), to be used in animal feed. The experimental design was completely randomized, 2x2 factorial, the first factor being the raw materials, TR and PL, and the second, the Alcalase® and Brauzyn® enzymes, with three replications. The temperature-controlled hydrolysis used an enzyme: substrate ratio of 1:200w/w. The products hydrolyzed with Alcalase® had higher levels of free amino acids compared to the other hydrolysates, regardless of the feedstock used. The TR hydrolysates had higher mean lipid contents especially monounsaturated fatty acids. Among the polyunsaturated fatty acids, those of the n-6 series were predominant. The processing of PL and TR byproducts in the presence of Alcalase® and Brauzyn® resulted in products with potential for use in animal feed as flavoring and/or source of essential nutrients.

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RESUMO -Um experimento envolvendo 60 suínos (½ machos e ½ fêmeas) foi conduzido, objetivando avaliar os efeitos do tipo de piso das baias sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça dos suínos, nas fases de crescimento e de terminação (33 -84 kg). Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados, com dois tratamentos, três ou dois animais por unidade experimental (UE), 12 UE por tratamento, perfazendo um total de 30 suínos por tratamento. Foram alojados em baias de 8m 2 (2,0 x 4,0m), distribuídos em dois tratamentos: piso com lâmina d'água e piso compacto. No tratamento "piso com lâmina" as baias possuíam ao fundo uma lâmina d'água (largura de 0,80m e profundidade de ±10cm), que foi mantida com água corrente. No tratamento "Piso compacto" as mesmas foram mantidas vazias e secas. O consumo diário de ração e ganho diário de peso foi maior para o tratamento com lâmina d'água na fase de crescimento, enquanto que a conversão alimentar e a espessura de toucinho não diferenciaram. Na terminação e no período total do experimento, os animais não apresentaram diferenças entre os tratamentos, para as variáveis estudadas. Conclui-se que a criação de suínos na fase de crescimento-terminação em baias com lâmina d'água ou em baias de piso compacto, resulta em respostas de desempenho e de características de carcaça, semelhantes. Entretanto, para a fase de crescimento, as baias com lâmina d'água proporcionam maior consumo de ração e ganho de peso.Palavras-chave: ambiência, bioclimatologia, carcaça, instalações, lâmina d'água, suínos Performance and Carcass Traits of Pigs (33-84 kg) Reared on Compact Floor or With Shallow PoolABTSRACT -An experiment using 60 pigs (½ males and ½ females) was carried out to evaluate the effects of the type of pens floor on the performance and carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs (33 -84 kg). The pigs were allotted to a randomized block design, with two treatments, tree or two pigs per experimental units (EU), 12 EU per treatment and 30 pigs per treatment. They were housed in pens of 8m 2 (2.0 x 4.0 m), allotted to two treatments: shallow pool and compact floor. In the treatment "Shallow Pool" the pens had a shallow pool locate in the back (0.80 m of width and ±10 cm of depth), which was kept with run water. In the treatment "Compact Floor" the same ones were kept empty and dry. Daily feed intake and daily weight gain was higher for the treatment with shallow pool in the growing phase, while the feed:gain ratio and the backfat thickness was not different. In finishing and in the total period of the experiment the animals did not show differences between treatments. The results suggest that rearing growing-finishing pigs either on shallow pool pens or compact floor pens, results in the same performance and carcass traits. Nevertheless, in the growing phase the shallow pool pens showed higher feed intake and weight gain.

This work evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of A-Live (phytogenic) either individually or in combination with Aquaform (potassium diformate, acidifier) on juvenile Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) growth performance, innate immune parameters, gut microbiome, and resistance against Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis challenge. Each experimental group contained 140 fishes (34.3 ± 0.33) in two 150L tanks. The experimental design consisted of five groups: a negative control; treated groups (G1, G2, G3) supplemented with different concentrations of A-Live and Aquaform in the feed; and a positive control (PC) for pathogen infection. Groups G1, G2, G3, and PC were challenged with Francisella spp. after 15 days. After infection, the mortality was significantly lower in groups G1, G2, and G3 (p < 0.01). Furthermore, these groups showed significant increase (p < 0.05) in daily weight gain, feed conversion rate, and specific growth rate. The PC group presented increase (p < 0.05) in the leukocytes and neutrophils number. Innate immunity parameters showed no difference between treatments after infection. Microbiome analysis revealed an increased number of bacteria belonging to the Vibrionaceae family after pathogen infection suggesting a secondary pathogen function of these bacteria. These results validate the beneficial effects of these products in tilapia farming.